Londoners should beware of the implications to supporting "sustainable
development".

Those of us concerned about how the National Planning Policy Framework (which is out for consultation until October 17) will impact upon green open spaces have good reason to be thankful for The Telegraph’s Hands Off Our Land Campaign. The document’s presumption in favour of “sustainable development” and ensuring there is “enough land for growth” will set alarm bells ringing for supporters of community sports. London is already at a disadvantage with 16 per cent of the country’s population being served by only 8 per cent of its playing fields and the Government’s target of delivering two million new homes by 2016 will inevitably put enormous pressure on existing open space.

Playing fields and sports like football and cricket go together like bread and butter yet since 1990 the number of grass cricket wickets in London has been reduced from 1,126 to 681 and, despite having more professional football clubs than any other city in the world (14), the number of grassroots football pitches in London has fallen by 20 per cent in the last 20 years. Given that there is a clear link between facilities and the numbers playing our national sports, it will come as no surprise to learn that in some London boroughs football participation rates are 50 per cent lower than the national average

It is ironic that the NPPF should emerge at a time when legacy is on the lips of everyone connected with the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. There can only be an open, accessible legacy if we have decent local facilities on which to play. If Londoners are not vigilant the NPPF could make this situation worse. It calls for communities to have a greater say in how their neighbourhoods should look so we must make a stand for our local playing fields and ensure that they continue to improve the lives of current and future generations.

The London Playing Fields Foundation, one of the country’s oldest sporting charities has spent the over 120 years actively fighting the cause for playing fields. Those whose lives have been enriched by sport would recognise the importance of having accessible, affordable and attractive facilities and the contribution they make in tackling two of the biggest threats to London life, namely poor public health and disorder on the streets.

We urge local communities to use the provisions within the NPPF to ensure that decisions about housing are reached democratically with input from local people. Supporting communities concerned about playing-field loss is something the London Playing Fields Foundation has been doing over the last two years with its Fields at Risk Register (FARR).

Up until the advent of the FARR, playing fields were being lost without any coordinated resistance. The FARR is effectively an early warning system with the LPFF providing local community groups with the support and guidance they need to protect the site and help restore it to full use. In the last year the charity has helped safeguard the future of 15 threatened sites. So if you are concerned about the loss of a local field get in touch with us and we will help you to safeguard its long-term future and restoration to full use. Remember, once lost, a playing field is gone forever.

Alex Welsh is the chief executive of The London Playing Fields Foundation, which aims to protect and promote the playing fields of London. As well as owning and operating playing fields, its mission is to save threatened sites and to help playing fields enrich the lives of the people who visit, work and live in London. You can find out more about their work here.